Chapter 18

[simtopi]

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18: Distractions

"There are a few objects that you can bring me, Wesley. Those objects, in my possession, as well as your service to me, and I promise you I will fulfill my end of the pact."


Six years ago, that was what she had told him. In his blind grief, he agreed. So she sealed their pact, and he was unable to remove himself from it since.


For years, being in her service was all he knew. Whatever she had done to him, he had lost all care of anything else going on around him. He slept until she needed him. He fed when he had to. One of the items, she said, would be here. For Wesley, it was one of the most dangerous places he could be. But with any sense of fear or other emotion numbed, he continued on his mission.


The door was locked. She warned him, nothing living, witch or not, can get past it with their lives and sanity intact.


But Wesley was neither witch, nor living.


The ability to shapeshift into a bat had it's advantages. The building was old and the halls were made of ancient stone. All he had to do was find the large cracks in the walls to creep through.


He didn't know what he'd find on the other side, or what would be waiting there that would cause him to lose life and sanity.


He wasn't sure this was what he was expecting. Ahead of him, some kind of bronze construct; A strange metal life sized doll sitting there quietly.


There was a thin layer of dust all over it and the chair it sat in. The candles flickered oddly around it with some kind of strange, unnatural glow. The light danced off of the construct's smooth metal skin.


Behind the construct was a mirror with a wrought frame. It took a moment for Wesley to recognize it as a mirror. Because of his nature, his reflection wasn't captured in it's dark glass.


There was something strange about the mirror. It looked old, as if it had been in this room as long as the construct. But there was no dust on it, and there was no tarnish on the silver frame. The glass was dark, and reflected the objects in the room in a shadowed tint.


The Key lay unassuming on the table before him. It was one of the objects Clara needed. The Key, like the mirror, was silver and old but not a speck of dust covered it.




"This Key is not for you."


Wesley recoiled, startled by the construct's sudden movement. It sat back with mechanical grace into perfect position and looked up at him with blank, bronze eyes. It was less of a robot, more of a puppet without strings.
The Construct: You mustn't take the key unless you are prepared for the consequences.


Wesley: I'm not concerned what those consequences might be. The Key is not for myself.


The Construct: And yet you risked yourself to get here. You found your way into my chamber and survived the trick of the Mirror.
Wesley: The mirror is a trap?
The Construct: Had it caught your reflection, it would have also taken much more.
Wesley: What... who are you?


The Construct: I am the guardian the Head Warlock created to protect this place. I have already relinquished the Sorceress' Book, but I am not prepared to relinquish the key. Not to you. The Key, as well as the Book, is intended only for the Sorceress' heir.

He recognized that term. It was what Clara and Kimberly Cordial had referred to Willow as, though he didn't understand why.


Wesley: Willow...
The Construct: You know of the Heir. Do you care for her?
Wesley looked at the construct, then looked away when he couldn't bear looking at it's empty metal eyes. It seemed like an odd question for something like it to ask him. Its voice was empty and void of any emotion. But he felt compelled to answer.
Wesley: I do.


The Construct: You want the key for your own purposes. To fullfill a selfish desire of yours. But it belongs to the Heir. She will know what it opens. And when she finds it, it will be another step towards her ascendance.
Wesley: What will she inherit?


The Construct: Everything.
Even in the small room, the word seemed to echo and resonate. The candles flickered in a breeze Wesley couldn't feel.

Wesley: Will she be harmed?
The Construct: No, none of this was intended to harm her. The Head Warlock and his Coven are sworn to protect the Heir at all costs.


The Construct: I will only allow you to leave this room if you bring this Key to the Heir. Only you can do this now. Make the correct decision and you can take it.


He didn't know what to do. The Construct's blank eyes were looking straight at him, straight through him it seemed. If he had a soul, it was scanning it, reading it like a chart. If he brought the Key to Clara, Clara may fullfill her end of the pact or release him from it all together. If he brought it to Willow, there was no telling what will happen to her, and he wasn't sure he could believe the word of this... thing. Willow already had the Book...


He wasn't sure of his decision when slowly he leaned forward and took the Key, enclosing it in his hands. The metal of the key felt warm, slightly tingling his palm as if there was a mild electric charge pulsing through it.


It said nothing more. With a gentle mechanical whir, the doll wound down, it's head rolling forward. Whatever energy gave it life disappeared and what was left was just an empty shell. It was as if it had never moved at all.


He put the key in his pocket and stepped back slowly, not sure of what the Construct will do.


Quietly, Wesley shifted into his bat form, taking the same path out as he had entered. The chamber behind him went dark, but the candles still glowed strangely in the mirror.

---

It was a nice day. But even though the air was a little colder lately, it seemed like every day was a nice one. Gabriel and Willow had spent their time between classes in eachother's company, either walking aimlessly around campus or relaxing on a pile of leaves in the Central Quad, staring at the drifting clouds in the sky. A week had passed since they officially began dating. In some ways those days passed by quickly. In other ways, time slowed down significantly.


As if there was just the two of them in the whole world. Gabriel was okay with that.


Gabriel: Asleep again? Damn, was I that boring?
She was dozing peacefully against him, breathing slowly into his shoulder. It felt nice to have her beside him. In a way, he was glad she was that comfortable with him that she could just fall asleep in his arms. Thinking of that, he couldn't bear to wake her.


But while she had just started to doze off, the dreams came almost immediately this time. Shadows of things that have happened before flew through her unconscious mind swiftly and hard.






And things that may not have happened at all.


She woke up quickly, gasping for air and a little disoriented, not realizing that she had surprised Gabriel beside her. As the last remnants of her dream fled from her memory, she tried to grasp on to the image of the other Miss Cordial standing beside the one she knew.
Gabriel: Hey, easy there. You okay?
Willow: Yeah... sorry, I was dreaming.


Gabriel: I figured. Must have been some dream. Who's Miss Cordial?
Willow: What?
Gabriel: "Miss Cordial". That's what you just said.
Willow: Oh.. Miss Cordial was... just a teacher. An old one from highschool.
She wasn't sure why she couldn't tell Gabriel about her just then.


Gabriel: You've got school on the brain. You really need to relax.
Willow: I guess I'm just really stressed out. Mid-terms and stuff.
And the fact that someone out there wants her dead, and badly enough to send zombies. Willow could hardly forget that it was one of big reasons it was hard for her to sleep at night.
Gabriel: Oh right, mid-terms. Those are coming up. Great.


Willow: Why is it that you never seem like you're worried about any of this stuff?
Gabriel: Oh I worry. I just worry about other things. I'm pretty sure I'm graduating this year.
Willow: You're pretty confident about that.
Gabriel: Yep. I'm an art student. Aside from term projects, this semester's been a breeze.
Willow: You're not using the Secret Society to help you hack your grades or anything like that are you?
Gabriel: Oh hell no. Those guys are so incompetent they'll probably end up getting me arrested. So I do it myself.
Willow: What???
Gabriel: I'm kidding, Willow. I really need to learn to get used to saying that.


Gabriel: So you pretty much have the rest of the afternoon off and you're going to waste it studying all day.
Willow: I may as well. Unlike you, I don't get to draw pretty pictures all day. I have a load of books to get through and a term paper to write.
Gabriel: I'm impressed, Willow. That was a dig. Anyway, I think it's cool you get to study up on the mating rituals of llamas or whatever it is you're studying.
Willow: Really, the only thing you remember about my thesis on the effects of climate change on the genetics of local fauna is the mating rituals of llamas?


Gabriel: Well, you know. Mating rituals are always an intriguing subject for me.
Willow: Cute.


Gabriel: Speaking of...

Across the fountain, Adrian watched them as they kissed eachother goodbye. This was the first time he had seen them together though he had already heard about them through Jasmine. On the outside, he was happy that Willow was happy.


Though he couldn't help only feel regret that maybe he had waited too long to make up his own mind.


Gabriel: Alrighty, I gotta get to class. How about I spend a few hours drawing my little insignificant doodles then I meet you back here afterwards. I'll get to rescue you from the inevitable landslide of text books you'll be dying under and then we can get something to eat.
Willow: That sounds good.


Willow grinned broadly. He acted so nonchalant about everything but a lot of this was new to her. She couldn't help feel happy and excited, and it was nearly enough to make her forget about zombies and vampires. In the past, all she had looked forward to after studying was more studying. This was a nice change.


Willow said her goodbye to Gabriel and headed into the library. There were normally other students around, either hanging out by the cafe, or eating lunch in the cafeteria.


The young woman was the only one sitting in the cafeteria that day. She was engrossed in her work and had her head down, tapping her pen erratically against her notebook.


Willow: Meadow?
Meadow looked up, surprised, though a glimmer of happiness shone through her stressed out eyes.
Meadow: Willow... hi!


Meadow Thayer was low on the list of people she had expected to see here. When Meadow was dating her brother, Willow liked having her around. She seemed to temper a lot of Rowan's lesser qualities and she had always been nice to everyone.
Willow: I didn't even know you were back in school.
Meadow: Yeah, I am, though I think I'm beginning to regret it. I don't know if a diploma is worth all of this.
Willow: No, it's a good thing you're back. And it is worth it, it can't be that bad.


Willow watched in shock as Meadow hid her face in her hands and began to cry.
Meadow: No, Willow, it is that bad. I keep going over this paper and I'm fucking stressed out about it. You'd think I'd be better at writing, but everything is just coming up blank. I have until Monday to finish this but all I keep coming up with is the same paragraph over and over again. Fuck.


Willow: What do you mean, Monday? Don't tell me you waited until today to start your term paper???
Meadow: Maybe I started it last week. But I've been so busy with all my other classes and then spending all night working, I just couldn't keep up. And I have to work all weekend too, I don't know when I'm going to get the time to work on this. I don't know how anyone does it. I didn't even finish reading all the books I needed for my literature course. How the fuck am I going to get through this semester?


Willow: This is pretty important Meadow. Can't you take time off from work until you've finished your paper?


Meadow: God Willow, I wish it were that easy. I can't afford to get fired, I need the hours and I need the money.
Willow: Well listen... please stop crying. If you want, I can help you. Literature isn't my forte, but I can help you write that paper.


Meadow: I can't ask you to write my paper, Willow.
Willow: Well, you'd be supplying all the ideas. I'm not totally going to write it. I'll just... um... lay down the text for you.


Meadow: You're so sweet to offer but I can't let you do that. All this is my fault, I'll take the fall if I have to.
Willow: It's just a little help. I don't want to see you work so hard and get nothing out of it. And after we get through this, we can figure out a better schedule for you.


Meadow: Don't get me wrong... I really do appreciate it but why would you do this for me? I haven't seen you for a long time. I haven't even spoken to you since me and Rowan broke up.


Willow: I don't know... I know you and Rowan aren't dating anymore, but I've always sort of considered you family. I still do, kinda. I guess that's the "Marlen" trait in me.


Meadow: I do miss all of you. But what about you, don't you have your own work to do?
Willow: Yeah I do, but it's okay, I can spare the time. I don't mind, honest.


Meadow: I don't want to assume, but I hope you're not hoping that Rowan and I will get back together...
Willow: I never expected you to. It's not like I don't know how badly he treated you.
Meadow: Yeah well, that's all in the past now I guess.
Willow: Does he even know you're back in school?


The cheerleader came by and interrupted them before Meadow had a chance to answer.
Suzanne: Meadow! I saw your show the other night. It was pretty awesome! When are you playing next, I told all my friends about you!
Meadow: Oh... wow... thanks. But I don't know when I can play again. I'm pretty swamped with schoolwork as it is.
Suzanne: That sucks. But you totally gotta let us know. I'll put flyers up and stuff. And hey if you ever want to be on the cheering squad, I can totally find a spot for you.
Meadow: Um thanks. I'll think about that.
Suzanne: Awwwwwsome. Voooooo gerbits!!!
Meadow: Sure. Awesome.


Meadow: I'm not joining the cheering squad. Why'd she think I'd be interested in something like that?
Willow: Well at least you got asked.
Meadow: Oh Willow. Don't let it get to you. You're beautiful. Inside and out.
It was typical of Meadow to see beauty in just about everything. Even so, Willow couldn't help but smile and blush to hear Meadow compliment her so openly. Despite everything that has been happening she had never felt this good about herself in her entire life.


Meadow: Thank you again. This really does mean a lot to me.
Willow: You're welcome. I'm going out later but I'll see you after dinner and we can get started on that paper, okay?
Meadow: Right. It was really nice to see you again, Willow.






Meadow: Hey Ben... is everything okay? I'm going to be a little late tonight. A friend of mine is helping me study.


Meadow: I'm so sorry about this but I'll make it up to you... I promise... Thank you for understanding, sweetie, you're the best ...

---

Jasmine: Wait, sorry I wasn't paying attention. You got invitations to what?
Cecilia: I can't believe you weren't listening to me.
Jasmine: I'm kinda in the middle of something here, Cecilia.


Cecilia: I was saying that I have VIP passes to the opening of Club Divine. That's Malcolm Landgraab's new club.
Jasmine: Yeah I caught that part. So why are you telling me?
Cecilia: Duh, 'cause I thought you'd go with me.
Jasmine: Are you kidding?


Jasmine: I don't know, Cecilia. I'm not into the club scene. And I don't know about that Malcolm guy.
Cecilia: Don't tell me you believe what Mom thinks about him?
Jasmine: I honestly really don't care. If you want to go, fine, but maybe you'd be better off taking someone else.
Cecilia: I don't really want to bring a date.
Jasmine: I get it. Make yourself as available as possible for Mister Big Shot Landgraab, hmm? Don't you think he's a little too old for you?


Cecilia: I don't really care about that. It's not like he looks his age.
Jasmine: Cecilia, he's at least as old as our grandfather. That's kinda weird. But whatever, I'm not really surprised at anything anymore. Anyway, why do you think Malcolm would go for you? Dad's one of his biggest business rivals.
Cecilia: Right now, I don't really think Mom or Dad have any say on what's going on with other people's love lives. They can't even figure themselves out.


Jasmine: Okay I'll give you that. What are you doing here anyway? You don't have anything better to do than sit there and watch me fix my truck. It's not like you're helping.
Cecilia: I just didn't want to hang out at the sorority house, okay?
Jasmine: Your ghosts again?
Cecilia: Singular, Jasmine. A ghost. I don't know why I even bothered telling you if you're just going to make fun of me.
Jasmine: No, I'm not making fun of you. I really do believe you, Cecilia.
After everything going on lately, a haunted sorority mansion was one of the least incredible things Jasmine could think of.


If anything, the haunting just continued to get stronger as the days went by.


At first, Cecilia was terrified of it. The ghost would wake her in the middle of the night going through her wardrobe, banging doors loudly. She hoped they were just nightmares.


But while she sat up in bed wide awake, she could distinctly hear footsteps and a faint voice in her room that sounded like it was complaining about something.


There were other strange occurences too...


And it always seemed to happen whenever Cecilia was around.


She didn't miss those coincidences. Cecilia would walk into a room and there would be sudden loud noises behind the walls, startling her.


And though others might have been in the room, hearing the same things, they never seemed to be as phased as Cecilia was. It was an old house, they said. Whenever anyone did something mundane like run water, the pipes would knock against eachother. Perfect explanations.


But at a point Cecilia even started accusing everyone of playing a mean practical joke or conducting some sort of hazing ritual.


And they always laughed it off. You're being paranoid, Cecilia, relax.


So she tried...


But it was difficult to when the ghost wouldn't leave her alone.


It was as if it was shadowing her everywhere she went in the mansion. The icy cold chills she felt on her neck were like fingers creeping up and down her skin. It always felt like someone was behind her...


.. though when she'd turn around, nothing would be there.


She didn't know what the ghost wanted, but she knew it was always there, and it wasn't happy.


Cecilia: It's getting pretty bad, Jasmine. It's hard for me to sleep at night.
Jasmine: Well I've got the perfect solution for you. Move out.
Cecilia: I'm not going to move out of the mansion.
Jasmine: You still get to be Tri-Var, you know.
Cecilia: There's no way I'm moving out. What will people say? And what if it follows me?


Jasmine: I don't know, Cecilia. You want we should do a sceance or an exorcism or whatever? I'll get Willow to help. She's into all that shit.
Cecilia: Oh my god, you didn't tell Willow did you?
Jasmine: What does it matter? It's not like she's gossiping about it all over campus. She isn't you.
And she keeps secrets pretty freaking well, Jasmine thought. She had to stop herself from blurting that out.


Cecilia: I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't want everyone to think I'm nuts.
Jasmine: Maybe you are. I don't know what to tell you.
Cecilia: What if I am?


Cecilia: What if I really am going crazy?
Jasmine: Maybe you're just too stressed out. You took Morrison's death pretty hard.
Cecilia: Well, he was my dog.
Jasmine: He was our dog. You just tried to keep him for yourself.
Cecilia: So why am I the only one crying for him?
Jasmine: Cecilia, that's so not fair...


Jasmine: Shit!!!


Cecilia: God, Jasmine, speaking of things as old as grandpa, just give up on that thing and get Dad to buy you a new car.
Jasmine: I don't need a new car. I can fix this beast just fine. Maybe I'll just get the engine replaced outright...
Cecilia: The way I see it that truck is determined to get you killed. It's not worth it.


Jasmine: Okay listen. It's cool you want to hang out and stuff but if you're just going to sit there and nag me I'd rather you find someone else to bug.
Cecilia: Oh that's great. That truck is more important than me now.


Jasmine: Alright, how about you stop acting like a brat and try to remember that the world doesn't revolve around you. Just for once, okay?


Cecilia: Screw you, Jasmine.


Jasmine: Cecilia, come on...


Cecilia walked further down the street, not turning around even as Jasmine tried to call her back. The truth of the matter was that Jasmine had spent the last week trying to shut everything else out and finding things to occupy herself with. If she didn't have to deal with people, she wouldn't have to deal with all the things she had learned recently.


But more often than not, she just ended up frustrated and annoyed. She sighed as she looked at her truck. Cecilia was probably right about it, but her truck was also her distraction. Still, nothing was cooperating with her lately. Even Adrian was distant since she told him about Gabriel and Willow. Finding new determination, she shoved everything out of her mind, picked up her tools and got back to work.

---

Meadow: Hi... Mind if I come in?
He looked at her with a slightly contemptuous smirk on his face, hesitating for a moment. Though he didn't believe it completely, they both knew why she was here.

Rowan: Sure. Why the hell not.

next » [ Chapter 19: Night Life ]

------------------------------------------------------------------
notes:
* This chapter was oddly difficult for me to write, but not in the usual way. I kept making really simple grammar mistakes and spelling errors. I've probably reread the whole thing a dozen times and still found stupid mistakes. So apologies in advance if something's amiss.
* I didn't know the name of that cheerleader but I'm vaguely thinking it was "Suzanne Landry" or something like that. She came up to Meadow and Willow while they were "talking" and I threw her into the story because it seemed like a neat little nod to sims campus life. :)
* yes, a lot of talk in this chapter... there will be some action in the next few chapters I think.
* I love you guys for reading. :)

Comments

[dark-dwellersim.livejournal.com]

Wow, I loved it! :D

The beginning was a really interesting plot element to show, The Construt piques my interest. Oh how I love Jasmine, she's so adorable with her determination... Speaking of adorable, can't forget Gabe and Willow, it's so... heartwarming to see their relationship develop.

Can't wait to see what happens next with Meadow/Rowan, Celia/Jasmine, Gabe/Willow, Wesley/The Construct/Clara! :D Awesome job as always and the longest comment I've ever left.

[simtopi]

Aww, its always neat that you're one of the first to comment. <3 <3 <3 I'm glad you liked the chapter, I really do appreciate all your support. :)

[spyroeldragon.livejournal.com]

:DDDD

I love Meadow, she's so sweet in your story, as opposed to the devious tramp she is in other stories. ^__^ I love Willow, for many reasons, such as her braid, her witchiness, her kindness and generosity, oh, and her adorableness when she's with her boyfriend, Gabriel, whom I also love. I bet she'd be blushing a very deep red if she could. And it sucks that Adrian is possibly regretting not asking her out, but I think he's a better match for Jasmine. (Totally shipping Gabriow... xD)

This chapter, like the others, even though it wasn't action-packed was amazing and awesome and wonderful and other great things. I just started reading recently, but I wonder if I can add you...? I'd <3 to see outtakes and other stuff. I LOVE this story.

WESLEY! OMG WESLEY BRING THE KEY TO WILLOW OR THE CONSTRUCT WILL EAT YOUR BRAINS. Just because you're a vampire doesn't mean you don't need them. I love Wesley. I hate Cara. She's a witch, and I mean that both literally and figuratively. |:<<

I THINK I covered everything... no, I didn't. Cecelia and the ghost = creepy. Only because it's that Brittany (Tiffany?) chick from the sorority. She's mean in other stories, so I don't doubt she's mean in this one. Goodness, leave the poor dear alone, will you? She lost Morrison, her doggy. T___T BECAUSE OF STUPID CARA, whom I h8. Oh and random : but your Malcolm Landgrabb kicks major ass, man. He's hardcore but kind of too old for Cecelia!!

Yeah, I probably had too much sugar today or I didn't run around enough, because I'm really awake even though it's an hour away from midnight and oh my gosh I BET YOU I am going to dream about this story.

Long comment is long. Amazing story is amazing. OH YEAH AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. It's so awesome how this huge story developed from you simply playing your legacy. It's really inspiring. ^___^

[simtopi]

Hi there.. of course you can add me, you don't need to ask. :) I also regularly update on thesims2 or simstorytellers if you're watching those communities at all. But yes, I do post outtakes and story babbling too. I'm really glad you're liking this story! :D

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

Yay! I was not expecting a new SimTopi update, so I was delighted to see it in my flist when I was reading tonight.

You've really got me curious about why Wesley would have been grief stricken enough to agree to doing whatever that witch wanted. Grrr. I worry about him even as I'm curious about what's going on with him.

I really love Gabriel and Willow together. There's something about them that just makes me smile. I do worry about Adrian, though. Of course I'm hoping for a little Jasmine/Adrian action, but we shall see.

Cecilia is an interesting character. Even as I want to slap her for being self-centered, I feel sorry for her dealing with an angry ghost of Brittany. That can't be fun. Still, sometimes she just makes me go GRRR.

And ... ooooh. Meadow and Rowan...

I certainly didn't catch any major grammar issues or anything. Not that I'm good at catching that stuff anyway. :) This was wonderful, as always. I love what you're doing with it.

[simtopi]

Yes those sneaky simtopi updates, LOL. I'm glad you're reading it (I just read the last chapter of your BRRL btw, and no, I didn't read the rest of the gens but holy crap it was amazing!)

I'm planning to bring out more of Wesley's origins and his motives, which really are simple, in the next few chapters hopefully. Gabriel and Willow together has been surprisingly fun for me. Like I've mentioned before, I wasn't sure how those two would be as a couple but they are adorable. Whenever I tell Gabe to do a romantic interaction with Willow, he does a little "yes!" and jumps into it. And ACR...OMG >.< Ahem. Anyway.

I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thanks again for the comment!

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

Thank you! If you find the time, I highly recommend the previous generations of the BRRL. They're all really pretty good. To me it's interesting to see how different each generation has been, but the similarities that wind their way through.

And ah yes... ACR... I can just imagine. :)

[niki1988.livejournal.com]

Good chapter!

I'm pretty curious as to what the sorceress will give Wesley if he gives her the book and what's going to happen with the everything else in Willow's life?

Can't wait to see more!

[simtopi]

Hi, thanks for reading. :) I'm glad you like the chapter. Everything about the Heir and the objects will be revealed gradually throughout the story, so yes there is definitely more coming.

[simnovoris.livejournal.com]

Wow! I really love the beginning of this chapter with the gorgeous Construct and everything that scene implies for the future. It reminded me in the best of ways of the kind of video-games I do so love to be obsessed with. (I'm sorry, I've got games on my mind lately. Dragon Age: Origins, this is all your fault.)

I hope Wesley will be a good boy. But it would be interesting if he wasn't, as well. :)

I wonder what Meadow is up to and I can't wait to see what happens with the Malcolm Landgraab plot.

Wonderful work as always!

[simtopi]

Dragon Age, I gotta look into that, though with work and this hobby I don't know if I need anymore distractions, lol.

Wesley, I think, is the type of person that will always do what's in his heart, even if they may be the wrong decisions. I'd caution anyone on trusting the word of something created by the Head Warlock of the evil coven. Thank you for the comment! :)

[treejen.livejournal.com]

You put so much work into your stories! I like how you mix in the maxis characters :)

[simtopi]

Thanks... this is a really fun project to put together and play with. :)

[dicaprioangel.livejournal.com]

I loved this chapter! Gabriel and Willow ♥!!! :-) Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to more!

[simtopi]

I know, Gabriel and Willow are too cute. Thanks, I'll try! :)

[dinoshad2brains.livejournal.com]

Great chapter. I know your post talking about being worried people will get bored with the details was a little bit ago, but I just wanted to say, I think the details really make the story. If I didn't know details about the characters, I wouldn't care about them.

I was wondering when the construct would come back into play. She's beautiful, like something out of a 1920s science fiction movie. Metropolis, or the like.

[simtopi]

Thank you.. I appreciate your comment. I do worry too much about this story, and I just have to remember to have fun with it again. I'm glad you like the characters enough to stick with all the "slow" chapters. :)

I agree with you about the Construct's skin, I love it. I saw it a long time ago at MTS (here if you're interested) and was inspired to add that kind of character to the story. We won't see the last of her.

[kayleigh83.livejournal.com]

loved this chapter! i'm excited to see what's coming next with meadow and rowan! gabriel and willow are adorable too... and the construct was awesome!

[simtopi]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked this chapter. :)

[shanno54.livejournal.com]

LOVED IT! But then again, I always love your stories. I literally squeal or something or just let out a "Yay!" when I see this update on my friends page.

Anyways, I really like how you put everyone's background stories in there and kinda mix it well. The plot flows pretty nicely. And GABRIEL AND WILLOW FTW! But poor Adrian. Didn't act fast enough. Cecilia is starting to bug the crap out of me, she needs to deflate her head a bit. I hope Wesley makes the right decision...

I'm excited for more!!

[simtopi]

Thank you, I'm really happy to hear you like the story that much. Cecilia will probably have to face her shortcomings one way or the other I imagine. And like I said before, Wesley (when he isn't being influenced by Clara) will always make the right decision in his heart. I think that'll all come up in the next few chapters.

[lauraswords15.livejournal.com]

WELSEY!!
I'm sorry, but the Construct is super-creepy.
I feel so bad for Wesley, stuck in a pact with that...witch. :P
I wonder what the key is for?

And Gabriel and Willow are so adorable!!! I think they're a great match. :D

And the Cecilia's haunting?
Sucks to be her.

Also, I'm not sure what to think about Meadow yet.

But, yeah, this chapter was awesome, and the talking gave us some more stuff to think about.

[simtopi]

Thank you so much, I'm really happy you liked that chapter. There's a lot of stuff I've left up in the air for now, but I think some uncertainties will be answered in the next couple of chapters hopefully. :)

[mimiwiggles.livejournal.com]

WESLEY! Um, since Willow is with Gabe, can I just take Wesley? Please??? These stories impress me every single time. I really can not rap my head around how you work out the pacing of the stories and how much to reveal about the heir each chapter and so on. THESE ARE AMAZING!

I have a couple questions for you though if thats ok (if you don't have time to answer them it it perfectly fine. I understand :)!)
-I recently just got my sims game up and running, but because of the type of computer I have, I cannot make custom content. Do you think it is ok to use other peoples custom content in stories? Do you make all of your custom content?

Thank you so much!

[simtopi]

LOL... glad you like Wesley that much. Haha. :D Thanks again for the comment!

As for your game, I think it should be alright if you use other people's custom content. 99% of the CC I've come across have very easy Terms of Uses in that regard. It's a nice courtesy to give credit. The only CC I make for my game are lots and some clothing recolours/re-textures. Most of my CC is from other places. I have a resource list here, but it's not complete.

[mimiwiggles.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your helpful advice... i really wish that i could make cc but, stinking macs make it almost impossible. :(

I don't think I'll have to worry about writing for a while though, at least probably not until summer. I've been trying to focus on school work and just read sim stories and play a minimal amount :/... ah well... i just wanted to know for future reference! thank you!!

[arithmeticdoll.livejournal.com]

I love you XD.... adrian/willow or wesley/willow XD I'm torn between the twooo this is exciting...you have to change 18 to 19 though :))

[simtopi]

Haha, but then there'd be no chapter 18! :O I've been pretty busy this week so I still haven't started on chapter 19 but hopefully I'll get started next week. :)

[collidingwithme.livejournal.com]

Ahh... 2 updates in one go, and it's still not enough. I suppose it never will be. :)

Meadow going to Rowan's room don't sound like a good thing at all. D: Did she just lied to Ben (her boyfriend?) just to make time for Rowan? And... I wonder why she went to find him. I hope I guessed wrongly. :(

Anyway, it was cute to see that pre-vamped Wesley was such a good boy! XD Ahh... people from the olden days. Did Sibyll fall in love with him? Like, why did she decide to turn him, assuming that she merely meet him on the street by chance.

I'd admit that The Construct scared me when she suddenly held on to the Key, lol. I can't believe she'd let Wesley take it so easily though. I mean, she didn't even make Wesley promise to give it to Willow! Anything can happen now! What did Clara promise Wesley that he would want so badly though? pleaselemmeknow!!! X)

And Adrian, tsk tsk! Is he getting jealous of Gabriel? I can't believe it. He totally destroyed his good image in my heart! XD I hope Jasmine confront him soon, coz either a)they'll get sorted out or b)Jasmine will kick his ass (and I would love to see some more ass-kicking from her! ;D)

Poor Cecilia with the ghost! :S I would have killed myself if I ever saw a ghost, let alone continue living in the same mansion! Maybe she shouldn't be so uptight about her reputation. :\ But then again, the ghost was angry at someone who looked like her? Did Denise and her sisters kill someone before? I can't remember if it was mentioned before or I confused this with another sim story. :S (*gulp*) Maybe she should paint the mansion another colour to appease the ghost! 8)

Can't wait can't wait can't wait for the next update!!!

[simtopi]

Hi Ning, thanks for commenting! Does this also mean we'll get to see a CS update soon? :D :D :D

Sibyll does love Wesley in her own way. Assuming that she did turn him (which is a fair assumption), we'll find out why and how and when in a later chapter. As for the Construct allowing Wesley to take the key, it does mention "I will only allow you to leave this room if you bring this Key to the Heir. Only you can do this now. Make the correct decision and you can take it." Despite Wesley's own indecision, the Construct already knows what he intends to do. Otherwise, it may not have let him leave.

Why is Meadow going to see Rowan... ;) We'll get more into their story definitely. As for Adrian, well, I hope he didn't disappoint you too badly. He's just like anyone else who has feelings for someone that may not be returned so things are a little disappointing for him right now. Hopefully Jasmine will sort him out. Maybe. >_>

As for Cecilia's ghost, also more on that eventually. There is a way to appease the ghost, we'll find out soon. Denise at this point has nothing to do with the ghost and you don't have to worry about something nefarious happening in Denise or her sisters' pasts.

[naughtydolphin.livejournal.com]

There's so much that I'm loving about this story, but your posing is what really caught my eye this chapter. It was a while ago that you did this entry, but do you remember what poses/hacks you used for Meadow when she was carrying the books and was on the phone? I love how it was put together.

[simtopi]

OMG it's really cool to know you're reading this. ^_^ Thank you!

The pose/hack you want is Adele and Decorgal's Prop hack. The sims will carry around their props and continue to do whatever you tell them to do such as make a phone call. I hope that helped. :)

[naughtydolphin.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to read it for a while, and I wish I'd started earlier! It's such a great story :D

Thank you for that link! I somehow missed that one, and it's awesome!